Beinn Bheigier from Kynagarry

Wow! What a day! I wasn't looking forward to 3 miles of monotony along the Kynagarry track to the start of the moorland trek to Beinn Bheigier, but I can tell you, I was looking forward to it on the way back after miles of making muscles you'd forgotten you had work harder than they have in a long time! Also, I was wrong about the 3 miles of monotony; with almost every footstep we saw something new - the air was truly alive with the sound of natural music. It was a great morning for insects and I was delighted to see my first 2014 Marsh Fritillary, plus the bonus of one freshly emerged (I wished we'd come upon it minutes earlier as I've never seen its chrysalis). The biggest bonus of the day, for me at least, was the brief sighting of 2 Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk Moths. They were too quick for a photo - as was the adder - James' highlight of the day. We just managed a photo of its disappearing tail.

Approaching Islay's highest hill from this direction is definitely more difficult than from Ardtalla, but it was a rewarding walk, with stunning views, and well worth the effort. I'm just glad that, unlike James, I didn't have to go and play rugby afterwards!
Becky

Adder tail

Small Copper

Thrift - growing on top of Beinn Bheigier

Allalladh and Red Deer

Beautiful wispy clouds and Beinn Bheigier

Emerging Marsh Fritillary

Invertebrates galore!

It's been such a good year for butterflies on Islay and with the return of the sun, mum and dad and I had a walk to the ruined village of Olistadh and then on to Kilchiaran and what some insects we beheld! Here is a selection of the bounty of the day. I've never seen so many Small Coppers all in one place, but the highlight had to be the Elephant Hawk Moth caterpillar slowly crossing the path on its way to find somewhere to pupate. The first I've ever seen!
Becky

4-spot Orb Weaver spider - we watched anxiously as a bumble bee, caught in its web, fought for freedom. Not wanting to intervene, we watched the spider approach its prey, the bee struggle, the spider get closer - and finally breathed a sigh of relief as the bumble bee extricated itself and found its freedom. Phew!

Black Darter

Buff Ermine larva

Common Darter

Drinker Moth larva

Elephant Hawk Moth larva

Rosy Rustic

Small Coppers mating

White Ermine larva

Ramble down Glen Astle yesterday

Yesterday my parents and I sauntered down Glen Astle in true naturalist mode, even slower than usual. Our main purpose was to find Marsh Fritillary webs as this is the time of year to look for them around Devil's-bit Scabious plants. There is plenty of Devil's-bit Scabious in Glen Astle and we managed to find two webs. The caterpillars were just emerging from their safe haven in order to soak up some of the welcome sunshine. Apart from the webs, it was a very successful ramble for anything other than birds. Here are some of our highlights. Once identification has been confirmed for our other sightings, I will post them to the blog. Becky

Devil's-bit Scabious - the food-plant of the Marsh Fritillary

Marsh Fritillary caterpillars and web

Small Copper

Trailing St. John's Wort (Hypericum humifusum)

Butterfly Bonanza

A visitor to the island made it his quest to photograph as many butterflies as he could whilst on holiday here. He promised to send his photos to us upon his return. True to his word, here they are. Thanks, Tim!
Becky

Common Blue - Polyommatus icarus

Dark Green Fritillary - Argynnis aglaja

Speckled Wood - Pararge aegeria

Meadow Brown - Maniola jurtina

Small Copper - Lycaena phlaeas

Grayling - Hipparchia semele